Egypt tourism to suffer as Islam strengthens

The Egyptian economy is continuing to slide in the wake of the recent political turmoil, yet Islamic parties want to make the visits of outsiders stricter by reducing the rights of tourists. Tourism accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP and employs 3 million people. But this is likely to change quickly.The leading party the Muslim Brotherhood party wants to introduce restrictions on alcohol. It says that tourists can drink enough at home and do not need to drink alcohol on Egyptian soil. The Salafis, meanwhile, have expressed a wish to ban bikinis and men and women bathing together. Hoteliers are worried that couples staying as guests may be required to show marriage certificates before they can stay in a room together.TourismReview